The Ultimate Direction Jurek FKT Vest is a new and improved version of UD’s SJ Ultra Vest 2.0. The piece of running gear was a winner of UltraRunning Magazine’s Best of Category and is named after the holder of the Appalachian Trail’s FKT record, Scott Jurek. FKT stands for ‘Fastest Known Time,’ and while it’s unlikely that you’ll traverse the AT in record time like Jurek, the vest can help you crush PRs and stay properly hydrated along the way.

Being well-trained is important, but preparation ensures that you’ll meet your goals and cross finish lines in one piece. Having a pack that can almost do the thinking for you removes some of the stress on race day. The well-thought-out design of the FKT vest ensures that you’re unlikely to forget the essentials when toeing the start line.

Editor's Pros & Cons

Pros

Attractive design

Roomy interior

Comfortable fit

No bounce

Cons

Not everyone loves the included bottles

Phone pocket doesn’t fit all phones

Use

Use

The hydration pack is built for long-distance training and trail running. It’s also an excellent choice for long runs on hot summer days. The bag works equally well for racing purposes. There’s space for all the necessary gear, but it’s lightweight enough that it won’t feel like a boulder sitting on your shoulders miles into your run.

The pack includes bottles, and although it doesn’t come with a bladder, there’s space for one (an entirely separate compartment). It’s also equipped with a drinking tube should you decide to stuff in a reservoir. Reviewers found the bottles incredibly easy to use, grab, and drink from.

They’re soft, so squeezing them to get that last drop of water isn’t hard. Roomy front pockets hold the essentials and the primary storage pocket features bungee straps to compress your load should you need to pack a lot of stuff.

The bag also has side pockets, which reviewers felt were tough to access in a hurry. Other reviewers lamented that the bag didn’t have more small storage space. Pocket-Obsessed runners will be disappointed.

There are, however, storage pockets on the straps for small items. The front pockets are very easy to get to on the run, so you don’t have to stop and struggle to get out a gel or salt tab.

Breathability

Breathability

The Ultimate Direction Jurek FKT Vest is outfitted with mesh in areas that require extra ventilation. Reviewers found the bag wicked sweat and ventilated adequately. For sweltering days, the bag works just fine. Users didn’t complain of chafing issues. The pack is relatively lightweight, so when the weather heats up, it won’t weigh you down.

Comfort

Comfort

The Ultimate Direction Jurek FKT Vest can be customized for the perfect fit. The hydration tube goes over the left or right shoulder depending on your preference and stays out of the way. Bungee cords can be adjusted to lock down a heavy load and prevent bounce.

One reviewer mentioned that while the bag’s sternum straps were useful for keeping the bag from moving around too much, the buckles are not vertically adjustable. It’s not a standard feature, but some bags offers users the ability to move the chest straps up and down.

It’s a useful feature for women who might want to adjust the straps, so they don’t sit directly over the breasts. The FKT vest doesn’t allow for this type of adjustment. It’s a small detail, though, and otherwise, the bag fits well. Well endowed women may want to look at UD’s women’s specific designs since some female reviewers (and shorter runners) found the chest strap fit too high on the chest.

The majority of reviewers did find the pack very comfortable, however. The close fit hugs the body and nearly completely eliminates bounce. The strap system is uncomplicated and doesn’t require an engineering degree to figure out. The pack also distributes weight well, and the mesh helps wick sweat. If you get the bag wet, materials dry quickly, too.

The mesh is breathable, but some reviewers found it a little rough. It easily irritates the skin or delicate clothing.

Another issue that some folks ran across was the bottle placement. They’re lower down than you’d typically see on vests and the design didn’t work for everyone. The bottle pockets also feature padding. The sturdy bottom of the pockets helps to keep the bottles upright and prevents them from flopping around. The problem is that when the bottles are taken out, the padding is prominent and feels odd.

Size

Size

The Jurek vest comes in sizes small, medium, and large. Ultimate Direction suggests taking into account the clothing you’ll be wearing the vest when taking measurements to find your size. Note, sizing is unisex, but the company does offer women’s specific designs. Most reviewers agreed that the pack fit true to size.

For such a small, compact pack, the bag is quite roomy. The total capacity of the bag is about 11.6 L and the bag - without bottles - weighs about 11.2 ounces. Reviewers characterized the bag as lightweight. Its bounce-proof design helps to distribute weight evenly and makes it feel as though you’re barely wearing a vest at all.

There’s a fair amount of storage space, but that doesn’t mean you need to stuff it to the brim! The bungee cord system helps lock contents down but the more you pack, the bigger the chance you’ll have to deal with bounce.

Larger runners liked the fit of the pack and loved how adjustable it was. A few reviewers complained that the designated ‘phone pocket’ didn’t fit their devices. If you’ve got a large smartphone, you might be forced to stick it in the rear pocket. Runners with large-sized iPhones felt it was annoying to have to grab at the back pocket to access their device.

A few female runners noted that the sizing didn’t accommodate very petite sizes. Women with shorter torsos and smaller frames found it tougher to adjust the bag fit. Smaller women had trouble getting the bag to fit snugly even when choosing the smallest size.

Unless your heart is set on a particular feature of the Jurek vest, petite ladies should consider the women-specific bags offered by Ultimate Direction as an alternative to this pack. The fit is crucial. Too tight and a pack will cut off circulation and chafe. Too loose and contents will jostle around, and you’ll also likely experience uncomfortable chafing.

Durability

Durability

The Jurek FKT vest is made of MonoRip mesh. It’s a lightweight and breathable material that’s also water resistant. It doesn’t stretch, helping to keep everything in place.

The bag also features 60 Denier Silnylon which is a super strong anti-abrasion fabric. There’s little chance you’ll damage this bag unless you’re throwing it down a mountain. 4-Way PowerStretch material is also included in the vest in areas where necessary.

Some reviewers pointed out that certain areas of the vest were prone to piling. The straps in particular, but this is more of a cosmetic issue than anything else.

Accessories

Accessories

The Ultimate Direction Jurek FKT Vest comes with two FlexForm bottles, each with a capacity of 600mL. Reviewers said that the bottles could be easier to open, but everyone agreed that the flexible design is easy to squeeze and handle.

The bag doesn’t come with trekking poles but has an easy access spot to hold them. A hydration bladder isn’t included either but there’s already an installed drinking hose and a separate reservoir compartment should you want to add a bladder. Reviewers appreciated that the bag was well set up to accommodate a reservoir. The compartment is large enough to fit a 2L bladder.

The bag also comes equipped with a safety whistle, a nice little bonus accessory.

Style

Style

The Jurek vest is available in white or grey. The colors are fresh and stylish. We’d just as soon wear the bag for any outing, not only for sporty pursuits.

Price

Price

The Ultimate Direction Jurek FKT Vest has all the bells and whistles that make it a worthwhile purchase. Plenty of storage space and little features make it a versatile hydration pack for a myriad of adventures. It’s priced similarly to competitor products.

The price seems fair for a bag with such a well thought-out design. There’s space for all the essentials, the fit is ultra-customizable, and you can upgrade the bag with added room for water should you decide to prolong your outdoor excursions.

Bottom Line

Already own too many packs and bags for your own good? Even if you’re a bag junkie and have too many hydration options on hand already, the Ultimate Direction Jurek FKT vest is worth considering. We bet some of those packs you have hanging in the closet are old and dirty! Why not upgrade and get a new pack with an intelligent design and a great fit.

The roomy vest is perfect for training and racing, fits true to size (but can be adjusted to suit particular body shapes), and is incredibly lightweight. It comes accessorized with two soft flask bottles and is made with sturdy, performance materials like MonoRip mesh.
Bounce is kept to a minimum with bungee cords, and strap pockets make it easy to grab nutrition on the go. Other brands sell similar packs for the same price, but without the attention to detail and quality of the Jurek vest.